Employers sought for youth job program

The county’s Department of Job and Family Services has received nearly $1.6 million in funding from the state to conduct the program, which serves Summit County youths ages 16-24. The program began June 1 and will conclude Aug. 31.

Employers are asked to provide meaningful work experience for approximately 15 hours per week per youth over the duration of the program. The county has made arrangements for payroll and Worker’s Compensation expenses to be handled by a third-party operator. Additionally, Ohio Department of Job and Family Services rules indicate that youth participants not be counted toward unemployment compensation reporting requirements. Therefore, employers who provide work opportunities for youth participants would bear no financial responsibility for being part of the program.

Three organizations are operating the program: Akron Urban League, Jobs for Ohio Graduates and Youth Employment for Success. Employers interested in providing work opportunities are asked to call the program operator based on the ZIP code where the employer is located:

Hickory Harvest Foods expanding

COVENTRY — Hickory Harvest Foods Inc. has broken ground on a 17,000-square-foot expansion project at its corporate headquarters, located at 90 Logan Parkway.

According to company officials, the new addition will include warehouse and office space, which will open up the existing space for expanded production and food manufacturing. The company is adding a new roasting and packaging lines to accommodate its recent growth in bulk and private labeled nuts/trail mixes. The new lines will increase capacity by 50 percent, allowing for new product expansion.

Once the addition is completed, Hickory Harvest anticipates hiring five new employees within the year, according to company officials.

Construction work began May 20, and the project is expected to be completed by Sept. 1.

For more information, visit www.hickoryharvest.com or contact Mike Swiatkowski, vice president of sales, at 330-644-6266.